01Recommended
Lemonade
Low-cost digital coverage
- Accident and illness plan
- $5,000-$100,000 annual limits
17 Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2026
Lemonade is best for low-cost digital coverage, Pets Best for low premiums with a direct-pay option, and Fetch for dental coverage and built-in exam fees. Decide how much of a surprise vet bill you could absorb, then compare the annual limit, reimbursement rate and waiting periods at that coverage level.
Fact-checkedOur top 3 picks
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
02Best for low premiums
Pets Best
Low premiums and direct pay
- Three accident-and-illness tiers
- Accident-only plan
03Best for dental coverage
Fetch
Dental and built-in extras
- Accident and illness plan
- Three wellness tiers
Advertiser disclosure RaveReviews may earn a commission from links on this page. That never influences our scores or rankings. How we make money.
The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method
How the score works
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
- 01Collect the source rankings.
- 02Normalize every position.
- 03Weight the sources.
- 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.
Scoring factors
- Raw publisher rank40%
- Normalized position30%
- Source weighting20%
- Coverage context10%
Sources used
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 7 sources contributed to this ranking.
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape
Score curve
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
#1#5#10
Top scores
The first five, scored out of 10.
What you need to know before you choose.
Pet insurance plans differ in waiting periods, annual limits and what counts as a pre-existing condition. Compare reimbursement rates and exclusions before insuring an older or sick pet.
Check the waiting period for illness, orthopedic conditions and cruciate injuries, and confirm whether exam fees and dental illness are included. Compare the premium at the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit, and read the pre-existing-condition rules before enrolling.
What the research says.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
17options reviewed
4.4average score
8.2top score
7authority sources
Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.
Key insights
17options reviewed
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
5weighted ranking factors
The same published model across every category.
0paid placements
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
Insurance options ranked
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
Lemonade
RecommendedBest overall value- Accident and illness plan
- $5,000-$100,000 annual limits
- 60%-90% reimbursement
Pets Best
Best for low premiums- Three accident-and-illness tiers
- Accident-only plan
- Optional wellness coverage
Fetch
Best for dental coverage- Accident and illness plan
- Three wellness tiers
- $5,000-unlimited annual limits
Prudent Pet
Best overall- Three plan tiers
- $10,000 or unlimited annual coverage
- 70%-90% reimbursement
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Best for comprehensive coverage- Accident and illness plan
- Accident-only and wellness plans
- $2,500-unlimited annual limits
Spot
Best for perks- Accident and illness plan
- Accident-only plan
- Two wellness tiers
Embrace
Best for customizable plans- Accident and illness plan
- $2,000-unlimited annual limits
- 70%-90% reimbursement
MetLife
Best for multiple pets- Accident and illness plan
- Optional wellness coverage
- $500-$25,000 annual limits
Nationwide
Best for exotic pets- Avian and exotic pet plan
- Accident and illness plan
- Preventive care riders
Trupanion
Best for direct vet pay- One accident and illness plan
- 90% reimbursement
- Unlimited lifetime payouts
Healthy Paws
Best for unlimited payouts- One accident and illness plan
- 50%-90% reimbursement
- Unlimited annual coverage
Pumpkin
Best for customer satisfaction- Accident and illness plan
- $5,000-unlimited annual limits
- 80%-90% reimbursement
Figo
Best for 100% reimbursement- Accident and illness plan
- $5,000-unlimited annual limits
- 70%-100% reimbursement
Hartville Pet Insurance
Best for simple waiting periods- Accident and illness plan
- Accident-only plan
- Optional preventive care
AKC Pet Insurance
Best for pre-existing conditions- Accident and illness plan
- Accident-only plan
- Two wellness plans
Liberty Mutual
Best for bundling- Accident and illness plan
- Wellness add-ons
- $5,000-$15,000 annual limits
Odie
Best for modular coverage- Illness and injury plan
- Optional exam-fee and prescription add-ons
- Separate wellness plan
Lemonade offers low-cost digital coverage, with sample dog rates of $44 a month for $20,000 of annual coverage.
8.2RaveReviews Algorithm
Compare the top options
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | Lemonade | Pets Best | Fetch | Prudent Pet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 8.2 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 5.6 |
| Best for | Low-cost digital coverage | Low premiums and direct pay | Dental and built-in extras | Broad included coverage |
| Price | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Highlight | Accident and illness plan | Three accident-and-illness tiers | Accident and illness plan | Three plan tiers |
Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.
The questions buyers actually ask
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
What is the best choice in pet insurance companies?
If you want the short answer, start with Lemonade. It earned a 8.2 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for low-cost digital coverage. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. Pets Best is the stronger fit for low premiums and direct pay. Fetch is worth a close look for dental and built-in extras. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
How did we rank pet insurance companies?
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Raw publisher rank at 40%, normalized position at 30%, source weighting at 20%, coverage context at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
What should you look for in pet insurance companies?
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Lemonade, the relevant details include accident and illness plan, $5,000-$100,000 annual limits, 60%-90% reimbursement. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
How much do pet insurance companies cost?
Lemonade starts at Varies per month. Pets Best starts at Varies per month. Fetch starts at Varies per month. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
Which option is best for low-cost digital coverage?
Lemonade is the pick here because lemonade offers low-cost digital coverage, with sample dog rates of $44 a month for $20,000 of annual coverage.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.
That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.
Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.
What should you verify before you buy?
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
What should you do next?
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Who wrote and reviewed this ranking
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.
David Krug
Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Annie Membreve
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokFrequently asked questions
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most plans exclude conditions that existed before coverage began. Some providers will cover a condition after a waiting period if it has been cured and no treatment was needed for a set time.
How does reimbursement work?
You usually pay the vet, then submit the invoice. The insurer reimburses a percentage of the covered cost after your deductible, up to the annual limit.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It depends on your pet, savings and tolerance for a large unexpected bill. Compare the annual premium with the cost of the care you would realistically approve.
Keep comparing
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